**Washington State Faces Green Crab Invasion: Over Two Million Captured in Just One Year**
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In a concerning development, Washington state has reported the capture of over two million invasive green crabs throughout the 2026 fiscal year. Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the total number of European green crabs removed from the state’s marine waters reached an impressive 2.16 million, according to a recent report from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The majority of these invasive crabs were netted by the Coastal Branch, which accounted for 2,133,725 of the captures, while the Salish Sea Branch recorded an additional 24,827. The surge in green crab numbers has prompted alarm among researchers and state officials, as preliminary indications suggest that the increased rates of capture may be linked to a combination of enhanced funding for crab removal initiatives, shifts in weather patterns, and the continued expansion of existing green crab populations.
The situation is critical, as Washington has yet to eradicate any of the extensive populations that have already established themselves in its waters. The WDFW highlighted that the impressive haul of over two million green crabs might have averted the release of tens to hundreds of billions of larvae into the state’s ecosystem, which could have exacerbated this ongoing environmental crisis.
The crisis was underscored two years earlier when former Governor Jay Inslee declared an emergency in response to the invasive species. Following this declaration, the state legislature allocated upwards of £8 million to combat the problem. Researcher Brian Turner noted a substantial increase in the green crab presence, expressing that the outlook was far from optimistic. “It’s not good news,” he commented during an interview with KUOW.
Colleague Emily Grason echoed this sentiment, indicating that the threat posed by the invasive species remains significant. “It’s not hard to imagine that the numbers could worsen. We are still in the midst of an ongoing invasion that has yet to reach any kind of equilibrium,” Grason explained, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead for wildlife management in the region.
The Washington Sea Grant Crab Team has identified that green crabs can be inadvertently transferred to new habitats through marine vessels and seafood distribution networks. The first sighting of a green crab in Washington was documented in 2016, which poses additional challenges given their history as an invasive species in other regions, including South Africa and Australia.
Green crabs are known to be voracious predators, consuming clams, oysters, mussels, marine worms, and small crustaceans. This predatory nature puts native marine wildlife at risk, particularly in areas devoid of natural predators. Their presence has already garnered concerns regarding the decline of soft-shell clam populations in Maine, and there is evidence that they pose a threat to sensitive aquatic vegetation, including eelgrass.
With the situation escalating, experts emphasise that the key to managing the invasive green crab population lies in early detection, rapid response, and ongoing monitoring efforts. The WDFW has outlined several characteristics to help identify these crabs, which can display red, brown, or orange hues, and are notably recognised by the five spines located on either side of their eyes.
As Washington state continues to grapple with the implications of this invasive species, the future of its marine ecosystems hangs in the balance. The ongoing efforts to capture and manage green crab populations underscore the urgency of the situation and the need for continued vigilance to protect the state’s aquatic environments.